Explore the Old and New of Dusseldorf with Hotels.com

As a travel writer I've visited many European cities, from Paris to Prague. Of all of the beautiful cities that I've been lucky enough to explore Dusseldorf was the one that had the most striking contrast between old and new.

On researching the city, its reputation as a German business and finance centre stood out. However, I feel that this actually sells the city short. Seemingly in the shadow of Berlin as the German tourist destination of choice, Dusseldorf actually has a lot to offer those looking for an easy mini-break full of interest and excitement.

Divided into two distinct areas, the Aldstadt (Old Town) and the ultra modern Media Harbour, Dusseldorf is both easy to navigate and rich with contrast at the same time. Add to this architectural interest exceptional opportunities to enjoy art and culture, beautiful parks and open spaces, the stunning river Rhine and a friendly, convivial atmosphere (aided along by the abundance of historical pubs and ‘brewery houses') and you have all the ingredients for an exceptional weekend away.

Affordable

The plus side to Dusseldorf's struggle to establish itself as one of Germany's leading tourist destination is that accommodation can often be found at a reasonable price. Hotels.com has some fantastic deals on city hotel rooms, offering a variety of old and new style properties that are in keeping with the contrasting vibe of the city as a whole.

The Radisson Blu is a stunning modern hotel in the exciting Media Harbour area. The Media Harbour was recently re-developed, with buildings commissioned from a variety of architects including the distinctive Frank Gehry, and is now a very visually appealing part of the city.

This immaculate hotel is just mere steps from the Media Harbour bridge and the iconic Rhine Tower, and is ideal for those who like clean, modern design with luxurious, premium touches.

Alternatively, if you want to experience ‘Old' Dusseldorf, Hotels.com has a wide choice of hotels in the charming and historic Aldstadt. For something traditional and down to earth, the Hotel Alt Dusseldorf is located in the heart of the Old Town, and offers basic accommodation at a great value price.

To save even more on your Dusseldorf accommodation make sure that you check 5hop5.ie before you book for the best Hotel.com discount codes.

Short Hop from Dublin

Time is precious when it comes to the weekend mini-break. You don't want to spend hours in the air to be faced with a long transfer into the city, meaning that you arrive exhausted and ready for nothing but your bed. Aer Lingus offers flights from Dublin to Dusseldorf with a flight time of just over an hour, which makes the city exceptionally easy to get to. From the airport, a ten minute train ride takes you right into the heart of the city, so your holiday can begin from the moment you land.

The Old

With its cobbled streets and traditional buildings, Dusseldorf's historic ‘Aldstadt' is a delightful place to wander. Enjoy exploring alone or take a guided tour to fully understand the rich history of the area. The tourist board runs informative and fun tours, in groups or privately, which tell the stories behind the monuments and the background of the buildings.

Drinking the ‘alt bier' is an essential part of any trip to Dusseldorf, and the traditional ‘brewery houses' in the Old Town make experiencing the local beer an absolute pleasure. Beware though, the waiters will just keep them coming, so remember to put your beer mat on top of your glass once you've had enough.

The New

A real highlight of the Media Harbour area is a trip up the Rhine Observatory Tower. This futuristic landmark of the city offers arial views of the Media Harbour and panoramic views of Dusseldorf.

The Frank Gehry buildings are another highlight of this modern addition to the city, although any fan of architecture will be spoilt for choice when faced with the architectural gems especially designed for the regeneration of this area.

I'll admit to be wonderfully surprised by what Dusseldorf has to offer and am sure that the city deserves to be up there among Europe's premier destinations for tourists. So head to 5hop5.ie for your Hotels.com voucher code and experience a beautiful amalgamation of old and new for yourself.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

The Article is written by Roxanne Wells at www.5hop5.ie providing Hotels.com Discount Codes. Visit http://www.5hop5.ie for more information on www.5hop5.ie Products & Services. Copyright information This article is free for reproduction but must be reproduced in its entirety, including live links & this copyright statement must be included. Visit www.5hop5.ie before you shop.

Enjoy a Cheap City Shopping Break with Hotels.com

January can be a miserable month. Many of us slip into a post-Christmas slump, exasperated by the weather and our return to work, and the cold, dark days can feel bleak and boring.

Why not give yourself something to look forward to by arranging a city shopping break? January is a great time for shopping, as the post-Christmas sales means that there are always bargains galore on the high street, but without the pre-Christmas crowds of December to contend with.

Hotels.com is an amazing website which offers great discounts on hotel stays, both in the UK and abroad. Go to 5hop5.ie to find all the best Hotels.com promo codes and voucher codes, and make sure that you're saving the maximum amount on your accommodation to spend in the sales.

If you fancy the idea of a January getaway for less, arm yourself with a Hotels.com discount code and go shopping for something fabulous to look forward to in the New Year.

You don't have to go far. There are many amazing shopping destinations in the UK where you can enjoy a shop till you drop city break. Here are some ideas for those short on inspiration:

Dublin with Friends

Dublin is a fantastic destination for groups who want combine shopping with a fabulous, post-Christmas party to start 2012 with a bang. If you're in the mood for blowing your Christmas money then Grafton Street is the place to go for designer goods, while Temple Bar is crammed with more individual boutiques to explore. Both of these areas also boast bars, cafes and restaurants, so you can revive yourself after a busy shopping session with a fortifying Guinness or two.

Bath with Mum

Bath is the UK's number one spa town and is a great place to take mum on a relaxing shopping break in the new year. With flights from Dublin to nearby Bristol taking just an hour, it's a great destination that's easily accessible from Ireland.

Once you've explored the town's individual trinket and gift shops, and upmarket boutiques, you can enjoy a post-Christmas de-stress at the Thermae Bath Spa. This beautiful spa boasts a roof top mineral rich pool with views over the city, as well as an indoor thermal bath, aroma steam rooms, waterfall showers and a café. Why not spoil Mum (and yourself) with a treatment such as a relaxing massage or reviving facial, so that you can both begin the new year looking and feeling your best?

York with a Loved One

With its romantic cobbled streets, intimate cafes and restaurants and atmospheric cathedral York is a great place to spend some quality time with a loved one. The end of the year is always a busy time - with family, work and social commitments meaning that you may not get to spend as much quality time with your special person as you would like.

You can rectify this come January with a romantic mini-break to beautiful York where you can explore the gift shops hand in hand, perhaps stopping at a chocolatiers such as Monk Bar Chocolatiers of York to stock up on treats to take home.

The nearest airport to York is Leeds Bradford which is serviced daily from Ireland by Ryanair, so why not invest in your relationship with some quality time to kick off a loved up 2012?

London with the Kids

There's only one place to head with kids who love to shop and that's London. Not only can they run wild in the seven storey toy emporium that is Hamleys, but you could also treat them to a theatre trip after their shopathon.

Wicked at the Apollo Victoria and Shrek at the Theatre Royal are two musicals that are great for little kids and big kids alike, so indulge the whole family in a treat that is sure to begin the year on a high note.

Little ones will also love Covent Garden for its Build a Bear workshop and the Hope and Greenwood confectionary store - just make sure they've had lunch before letting them lose among the jars and jars of traditional sweet treats and treasures.

Whoever you want to share your shopping trip with, make sure that you get the best value price on your accommodation by using a Hotels.com voucher code from 5hop5.ie. After all, the less you spend on your hotel the more you have left to treat yourself during your spree. Maybe an extra suitcase to fill with your prized purchases might be a good idea?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The Article is written by Roxanne Wells at www.5hop5.ie providing Hotels.com Promo Codes. Visit http://www.5hop5.ie for more information on www.5hop5.ie Products & Services. Copyright information This article is free for reproduction but must be reproduced in its entirety, including live links & this copyright statement must be included. Visit www.5hop5.ie before you shop.